MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University sophomore running back Ezra Gray ran for a career-high 124 yards Thursday night in front of a nationally-televised audience, but it wasn't enough to overcome the fast start of Alcorn State University as the Braves claimed a 24-10 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory Thursday night.
 
Gray finished the night with 130 yards gained from the line of scrimmage, but lost six on one carry to finish with 124 yards on just 12 carries. He finished the night scoring a touchdown and averaging 10.3 yards per carry.
 
"Ezra finally got a chance to catch his rhythm," Alabama State head coach Brian Jenkins said. "We always thought he was a good back that could help us, and he finally saw things the right way on the field. Sometimes we get guys like Ezra that get a little antsy and jump outside, but we kept telling him to stay in the pocket and wait on the hold. Tonight he did that."
 
Redshirt freshman Darryl Pearson, Jr. earned his first start under center and delivered 75 yards through the air and another 53 on the ground to finish the night with 128 yards of total offense.
 
"He missed some things but he is a willful player," Jenkins said of Pearson. "He missed some reads, but you have to realize that he hasn't played in a couple of years because of being redshirted. We are young at the position, but nevertheless, demands are higher but for the most part he did some good things. There are some things to work on, but tonight he didn't turn the ball over."
 
After being shut out in the first half, Alabama State fought back in the second half to trim the lead to two scores. Gray cut through the Alcorn State (4-2, 2-0 SWAC) line for a 59-yard touchdown run with 5:02 remaining in the third quarter to trim the lead to 24-7. The run was part of just a two-play drive that covered 65 yards.
 
The Hornets struck again in the fourth quarter as Hunter Hansen converted his first career field goal from 27 yards out to trim the lead to 24-10 with 14:17 remaining in the contest. The field end culminated an eight-play, 49-yard drive for Alabama State.
 
"Our team is a resilient football team," Jenkins said. "We fought to the end and I thank everyone for their effort. They fought to the end and that shows character, but you can't build a hole against a team like that. My hat goes off to Alcorn State, they are very well-coached  and talented football team and that is some of the best talent I have seen in years."
 
Alabama State struggled early to contain Alcorn State, as the Braves scored on their first possession and added another score before the end of the first quarter. The Braves went 94 yards in just six plays to start the game, ending in a Lenorris Footman 50-yard designed
quarterback run for the early 7-0 lead less than two minutes to go in the game. They added to the lead in the first when Corey McCullough kicked a 32-yard field for the 10-0 lead with 5:50 to play in the quarter.
 
The Braves added two more touchdowns in the second quarter to finish their scoring off, a 21-yard pass from Footman to Norlando Veals; followed by a Footman eight yard run.
 
"We are going to go look at the film," Jenkins said. "We are going to try and show the guys that when we do what we are supposed to do, and fight, that we can be a pretty good football team."
 
Alabama State will have eight days off before their next contest, as they hit the road next Saturday to face Texas Southern in Houston.

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